Starting off the sun made it through some of the clouds but as the ride progressed the clouds blocked out the sun dropping the temperature from 82 to 80 while the wind went from 14 mph to 17 mph. All of this happened while I rode the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route as the final bike ride of April. The weather during the bike ride: start 82 (60% humidity), overcast, wind SE 14 mph. Finish 80 (65% humidity), overcast, wind SE 17 mph.
Wheels rolled at 11:41 am with me wearing shorts and a short sleeve jersey. A few times during the ride as the wind kicked up I wondered if I should’ve worn a long sleeve jersey but I made it.
For the final ride of the month I went 38.68 miles boosting April to 764.72 miles, 164.72 miles over my goal.
After making my way out of Kingwood, Woodridge Forest and across Loop 494 I headed north to New Caney. The stiff wind helped me set a good pace. Traffic was light. Riding through the green traffic light at FM 1485 I rode to make the u-turn under I-69/US59 by Caney Creek. Biking up the incline I stopped and took these photos. (Click the image to enlarge it)
Wildflowers are still blooming but the types are changing.
Back on the bike I struggled some to go up the incline to the service road battling the strong headwind. On the service road the right turn onto FM 1485 put the wind at my left rear quarter again helping me. This lasted until I went past Gene Campbell road and made u-turn back. Riding on Gene Campbell Road the wind wasn’t a problem except when I went on the “U” section that shows me leaving the main road. The headwind made it tough to get back to Gene Campbell Road.
I knew once I reached FM 1314 the wind would be in my face all the way to Old Sorters Road. I took this screen shot of the ride performance before making the left turn onto FM 1314.
This is from the Wahoo Fitness Live Track link for the ride. The street detail does not show the roads very well. From this point my average speed dropped as the wind took its toll.
Old Sorters Road provided some relief from the wind as it headed to the SW and there were lots of trees to block it. Briar Tree and Oakhurst were not so helpful letting the wind get to me. Back on the I-69/US59 south service road north of Kingwood Drive I bicycled under the freeway and began weaving my way through Kings Manor and Kingwood to finish the ride at 2:30 pm.
I asked my wife to take a few photos with the Canyon Endurace CF SLX and me wearing my Texbiker.net jersey since I didn’t have any.
SportTracks Bike Ride Summary
SportTracks April Bike Rides Summary
